Where college students go for golf

Every day we here at Nextgengolf see the impact club golf and the NCCGA have on students across the country. Whether it's a talented golfer that chose not to play varsity, or a recreational player discovering his love of the game, club golf has provided an outlet for students to continue playing competitively during their college years.

Pace of play in college golf is a serious problem, and we are working hard at the NCCGA to pick up the pace #whilewereyoung. Sean Keane, Regional Coordinator of the Capitol Region and leading member of Maryland's club golf team is passionate about improving pace of play in college golf and growing golf in his region. Below are his thoughts on the matters.

John McBride is a rising senior at the University of Massachusetts where is an active member of the school's thriving club golf team. John also serves as the Regional Coordinator of the Northern New England Region where he works with all of the club golf president on the teams to organize fall tournaments. John is a sport management major and rising senior at UMass.

Demi Delia is not your average college student. Not only had Demi created the Montclair State University club golf team which she is still the president of, but she has taken on an even greater leadership role of the rapidly growing NCCGA Metro Region. We got the chance to know Demi at the NCCGA National Championship where she spend the weekend volunteering with us and filled us in on her experiences this fall and what's in store over the summer.

Let’s face it, golf is not growing for Millennials. Although we’ve been fortunate enough to put a slight reversal in this trend with the growth of the National Collegiate Club Golf Association, the fact is that playing golf has become challenging for Gen Y. As the experts in young adult golf, we are constantly exploring ways to reverse this trend, below are four ways courses can join us in this movement.

Golf has always been an exciting challenge for me. And while I can't hit in the 70s to save my life, I love every moment I'm out on the golf course. I've seen how golf can change lives since it has changed mine!

There is no round of golf all year that my dad looks forward to more than the Wellesley Country Club annual Father son tournament. Affectionately known as "Doc," my dad is the quintessential golf nut and NOTHING makes him more proud than strutting around the club with my brother Nate and me.

Ohio State Club Golf…. What a ride it has been. Looking back on the past 4 years of college I couldn’t imagine what it would have been like without club golf. Club golf was more than just getting together with 16 of my teammates and playing competitive golf. This was a place where I was able to make lasting friendships and unforgettable experiences, the highlight of my college career.

As a member of New Mexico State's PGM program, Ben Farley is well on his track to a successful career in the golf industry. Ben is particularly interested in the retail aspects of a the golf industry, and shared some of his experiences with us as a State Traditions Brand Ambassador in his effort to gain valuable experience in professional development as modern golf professionals do a lot more than just teach people how to play.

Wei Chean is not a typical NCCGA golfer. Most of our players compete at the varsity level in high school but prefer to focus on academics and extracurricular activities while in college. While the the later may hold true for Wei, his prior golf resume may stand atop the NCCGA (Christian Dolan of UVA might feel differently). We asked him a few questions about his past golf experiences and how he is continuing his #JourneyToBetter in the states and the Wisconsin Club Golf team.

Club golf is student-funded, often over par, and always for the love of the game. Most of our students won't go pro, some may never break 80, but everyone of our 10,000+ college students spends their weekends and savings to be part of a rapidly growing grassroots college golf movement in a crucial segment of the golfer life cycle.

The NCCGA and Hurricane Collegiate Golf Tour (HCGT) are on a combined mission to help more college students play competitive golf. Many Hurricane players have tried their hand in NCCGA tournaments this spring, and we are hoping that NCCGA players are able to keep their games sharp by competing in first-class events hosted by HCGT this summer. The 2014 summer schedule features 28 events spanning 11 different states. All HCGT tournaments are 1-Day, 36-Holes, with lunch and cart provided, perfect for golfers looking to play this summer.

Often times it takes a new club golf team a semester or two to get their feet wet before they become a threat in NCCGA competition; that is ANYTHING but the case for Laura Kanouse's newly formed University of Florida Club Golf team. I had the chance to ask her a few questions on how she put together a new team that was able to come out on top in the NCCGA spring Florida Regional 1 at The Claw at University of Southern Florida this past weekend.

When it came time for Nextgengolf—then CollegeGolfPass—and the NCCGA to find an equipment partner, there were plenty of considerations to partner with some of the game’s most popular, household brands. When Nextgengolf’s COO, Mike Belkin, told me we would be teaming up with Cleveland/Srixon, it was not the first brand atop my mind; but I soon learned why this strategic choice was made and the amazing benefits Cleveland Golf and Srixon now provide the NCCGA.

The scorecard Nick Pierce posted at last weekend's Texas Regional , 77-79 good for 6th place, does not do his round justice. Nick had surgery after the round on Monday to remove his appendix that was about to burst. I had the chance to ask Nick a few questions about how he fought through the Sunday pain.